Business Aviation
Avfuel Adds Sheltair’s New FBO at Gwinnett County Airport After $17M Investment
Avfuel welcomes Sheltair’s new FBO at Gwinnett County Airport, backed by a $17 million investment and a 40-year lease for facility upgrades.

Avfuel Welcomes Sheltair’s Newest FBO at Gwinnett County Airport Following $17 Million Investment
Avfuel Corporation has officially added Sheltair Aviation’s newest Fixed Base Operator (FBO) at Gwinnett County Airport (KLZU) to its global branded network. Effective April 2, 2023, this expansion marks a significant milestone in the ongoing modernization of regional aviation infrastructure in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
The development follows a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process, resulting in Gwinnett County awarding Sheltair a 40-year lease. According to the official press release, Sheltair has committed to a $17 million infrastructure investment program to revitalize the airport’s North Ramp, taking over facilities previously operated by Gwinnett Aero.
This strategic move not only strengthens the multi-decade relationship between Avfuel and Sheltair but also highlights the growing reliance on public-private partnerships to fund critical Airports upgrades without burdening local taxpayers.
Infrastructure and Investment at Briscoe Field
Revitalizing the North Ramp
Located just 33 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta, Gwinnett County Airport, also known as Briscoe Field, serves as a vital general aviation hub. Industry data cited in the provided research report notes that KLZU is the third-busiest airport in Georgia, recording 119,000 takeoffs and landings in 2022. It acts as a crucial gateway for the county’s expanding bioscience, technology, and manufacturing sectors.
To support this growing demand, Sheltair’s $17 million commitment will fund extensive facility improvements. The project scope includes the redevelopment of nearly 220,000 square feet of existing hangar space. Furthermore, the company plans to construct a state-of-the-art FBO terminal, a new restaurant, and a modern office complex.
“Airports across the country are reckoning with aging facilities that can still be of service, but they need this partnership and private Investments to make it happen. We embrace this true public-private partnership that makes it a win-win-win for the airport owner, the users, and Sheltair.”
— Milo Zonka, Vice President of Real Estate for Sheltair, via the company’s release.
The Avfuel and Sheltair Partnership
Enhancing the Guest Experience
As an Avfuel-branded location, the new KLZU facility will offer operators competitive fuel pricing, AVTRIP loyalty rewards, and streamlined payment processing via the Avfuel Pro Card. Sheltair, recognized as the nation’s largest privately-owned aviation network with over 16 FBOs, aims to bring its “Family First” customer service ethos to the Atlanta market.
“We intend to exceed expectations and are dedicated to making Gwinnett County Airport the best it can be; Avfuel is an important part of that. The advantages Avfuel offers add value for our guests, and we look forward to extending that value to our network’s latest FBO addition.”
— Lisa Holland, President of Sheltair.
Avfuel leadership echoed this sentiment. Joel Hirst, Senior Vice President of Sales at Avfuel, emphasized the supplier’s eagerness to support Sheltair’s all-in commitment to Gwinnett County and the broader general aviation community in Georgia’s largest metro area.
Broader Industry Context and Recent Developments
Sustainability and Philanthropic Initiatives
The alliance between Avfuel and Sheltair extends beyond traditional fuel supply and FBO operations. According to recent industry developments spanning through 2026, the two companies are actively collaborating on environmental and educational initiatives.
On the Sustainability front, Avfuel and Sheltair have partnered with aircraft manufacturer Embraer to supply and store Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at Melbourne Orlando International Airport. This initiative directly supports the business aviation sector’s ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Additionally, the partners co-sponsor the “Future Takes Flight Scholarship” program. As recently as October 2025, the companies announced the latest recipients of this fund, which distributes $30,000 annually to support the education and training of students and professionals within the business aviation community.
Continued Network Expansion
Sheltair’s growth trajectory has remained aggressive following the KLZU acquisition. In November 2025, the company unveiled a new FBO at Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport (KSRQ), a project backed by a massive $40 million investment. Meanwhile, the successful transition at Gwinnett County has catalyzed further commercial general aviation development at the airport, with new RFPs issued in late 2025.
AirPro News analysis
The $17 million investment at Gwinnett County Airport perfectly illustrates a growing trend in regional aviation: the reliance on robust public-private Partnerships. As municipal budgets tighten, local governments are increasingly turning to established private operators like Sheltair to fund necessary infrastructure modernizations. By securing a 40-year lease, Sheltair gains long-term operational stability in a high-traffic, economically expanding region, while Gwinnett County benefits from upgraded facilities without direct taxpayer expenditure. Furthermore, Avfuel’s integration into these expanding networks ensures consistent fuel volume and brand visibility in key corporate aviation markets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the total investment Sheltair is making at Gwinnett County Airport?
According to the press release, Sheltair has committed $17 million to improve and expand the airport’s facilities, which includes redeveloping 220,000 square feet of hangars and building a new terminal.
When did the Sheltair FBO at KLZU officially join the Avfuel network?
The location officially became an Avfuel-branded FBO on April 2, 2023.
What services will the new FBO offer?
The facility will provide competitive fuel prices, AVTRIP rewards, Avfuel Pro Card transactions, and Sheltair’s signature customer care, alongside a planned new terminal, restaurant, and office complex.
Sources
Photo Credit: Avfuel
Business Aviation
Jet Linx Grounds Fleet for 10th Annual Safety Summit
Jet Linx Aviation halted all operations June 9, 2026, for its 10th safety summit, focusing on undetected engine corrosion and human factors.

Private-Jets aviation operator Jet Linx Aviation voluntarily grounded its entire nationwide fleet on June 9, 2026, halting operations for a full day to conduct its 10th Annual Safety Summit. The Omaha, Nebraska-based company utilized the operational pause to engage its 500 employees in safety evaluations, focusing heavily on human factors and the necessity of exceeding standard manufacturer checklists.
In a press release issued on June 10, 2026, Jet Linx stated it remains the only United States operator under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 135 or Part 121 regulations to voluntarily halt operations for an entire day annually to focus exclusively on safety. The 2026 summit utilized a recent fatal accident as a primary case study to challenge standard private aviation safety practices and assumptions.
Challenging standard maintenance assumptions
The summit featured a presentation by Barry Ellis, President of Hop-A-Jet Worldwide Jet Charter. The discussion centered on a February 2024 accident involving a Hop-A-Jet aircraft in Naples, Florida, which resulted in two crew member fatalities.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) published its final report on the accident in April 2026, determining the cause to be undetected engine corrosion. The summit highlighted that the engines had been inspected, deemed airworthy, and successfully completed 33 flights in the 25 days preceding the accident.
Ellis addressed the summit attendees regarding the dangers of relying solely on standard procedures when underlying risks remain hidden from flight crews and maintenance personnel.
“When assumptions go unchallenged, they become invisible, and invisible risk is the most dangerous risk of all,” Ellis stated. “The most dangerous assumptions are often the ones we don’t realize we’re making.”
Industry collaboration and operational safety metrics
The event at the Jet Linx Global Safety & Operations Center included presentations from aviation safety auditing firms. Sonnie Bates, CEO of WYVERN, and Patrick Chiles from ARGUS International participated in the discussions, emphasizing the role of independent safety evaluations in Part 135 operations.
Jet Linx Executive Chairman Jamie Walker led the initiative, which marks the company’s tenth consecutive year of executing a fleet-wide grounding for safety training. According to the company’s June 10 announcement, Jet Linx has maintained 27 years of accident-free operations, accumulating 200 million miles flown without an accident.
The safety summit follows recent operational expansions for the charter operator. In May 2026, Jet Linx launched a private jet flight-sharing program called MemberSeat Exchange, designed to increase client flexibility across its network.
AirPro News analysis
The decision by a Part 135 operator to ground an entire revenue-generating fleet for a full day represents a significant financial commitment to safety culture. By utilizing the recently concluded NTSB investigation into the Hop-A-Jet accident as a focal point, Jet Linx is addressing a critical vulnerability in aviation maintenance: the gap between regulatory compliance and actual airworthiness. The NTSB findings regarding undetected engine corrosion, despite recent inspections and 33 successful flights, demonstrate that adherence to manufacturer checklists does not universally guarantee safety. We view this public emphasis on invisible risk and human factors as a necessary evolution in business aviation safety management systems, particularly as operators expand their service offerings and flight volumes.
Sources: Jet Linx Aviation, LLC
Photo Credit: Jet Linx Aviation
Business Aviation
PS Opens Private Terminal at Miami International Airport
PS unveiled a 34,000-sq-ft private terminal at MIA on June 17, 2026, inside the historic Pan Am headquarters, opening June 30.

Miami-Dade County officials and luxury terminal operator PS held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 17, 2026, to unveil a new 34,000-square-foot private terminal at Miami International Airports (MIA), located within the former Pan American Airways headquarters.
According to a press release from the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, the facility marks the fourth global location for PS and the first in Florida. The terminal, which begins travel operations on June 30, 2026, allows commercial passengers to bypass the main airport concourses through private Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs screening, followed by direct-to-aircraft chauffeur service.
Revitalizing an aviation landmark
The new PS MIA terminal occupies a site of significant historical importance to the aviation industry. The former Pan American Airways (Pan Am) headquarters was designated a Miami-Dade County Historic Site in 2014. Groundbreaking for the revitalization project took place on July 10, 2025.
Amina Belouizdad Porter, CEO of PS, stated that establishing a terminal within the former home of one of aviation’s most influential airlines is deeply symbolic of the company’s mission to redefine modern travel. She noted that Miami was a natural expansion point given its status as the second-busiest U.S. airport for international travelers and a primary gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean.
The interior design, led by Cliff Fong alongside RJ Heisenbottle Architects and Creative Art Partners, incorporates elements of Miami’s regional style. Fong noted that the building carries a strong identity, prompting an approach that leaned into its heritage alongside the nostalgia of the area. Artist Nina Surel contributed to the space, drawing color palettes directly from the pastels of Miami’s Art Deco District and the unique subtropical light.
Expanding luxury infrastructure at MIA
The opening of PS MIA aligns with broader infrastructure developments at the airport. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava highlighted the terminal as a new chapter for residents and visitors seeking a concierge experience.
“We are always looking for innovative partnerships that elevate the traveling experience for all MIA passengers, and the revitalization of the Pan Am terminal is especially exciting,” Levine Cava said.
The facility features five Private Suites and a central lounge area known as The Salon. Passengers utilizing the service are transported across the tarmac to their commercial flights in BMW vehicles. The launch follows the June 1, 2026, opening of a PS location at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The company also plans to introduce PS Direct later in the year, an integrated service transporting guests directly between their aircraft and local residences or hotels.
The private terminal’s completion coincides with an ongoing $14 billion capital improvement and maintenance upgrade program at Miami International Airport.
AirPro News analysis
The integration of a high-end private terminal into a commercial aircraft airport reflects a growing market segmentation where ultra-premium commercial passengers are willing to pay for fixed-base operator (FBO) style privacy and convenience. By repurposing the historic Pan Am headquarters, MIA and PS have managed to preserve a piece of aviation heritage while generating new revenue streams. We expect to see similar public-private partnerships emerge at other major international hubs as airports seek to monetize existing real estate and cater to high-net-worth travelers without disrupting standard terminal operations.
Sources: Miami International Airport, Miami International Airport (2025), PS
Photo Credit: Miami International Airport
Business Aviation
IADA Certifies 16 New Aircraft Brokers, Total Reaches 233
IADA awarded its Certified Aircraft Broker designation to 16 professionals in 2026, raising the global credentialed total to 233.

The International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) has awarded its Certified Aircraft Broker designation to 16 business aviation sales professionals, bringing the global total of credentialed brokers to 233.
Announced in a press release on June 15, 2026, the latest round of certifications spans North America, Europe, and Latin America. The credentialing program is designed to establish standardized ethical practices and transaction expertise within the preowned business aircraft market.
Regional distribution and certification standards
The 2026 certification cohort includes 11 brokers from North America, three from Europe, and two from Latin America. The geographic spread reflects the international nature of preowned aircraft transactions and the association’s push for standardized practices across different regulatory environments.
IADA Executive Director Lou Seno stated that the designation provides clients with assurance regarding their advisor’s industry knowledge and commitment to ongoing professional development.
“Every aircraft transaction represents a significant financial decision, and buyers and sellers deserve to know they are working with professionals who have demonstrated both expertise and integrity,” Seno said.
Market context and accountability
The Certification process requires brokers to demonstrate their proficiency in aircraft transactions and adhere to rigorous industry standards. According to the association, this process works in tandem with its Accredited Dealer program to establish a framework for transparency in business aviation sales. Seno noted that the combination of these programs creates a unique level of accountability designed to ensure ethical conduct.
The addition of new certified brokers follows IADA’s October 6, 2025, market forecast, which projected a stabilized preowned business aircraft market through September 2026. The forecast anticipated normalized inventory levels and rationalized pricing, conditions where standardized broker practices often play a critical role in facilitating orderly transactions.
AirPro News analysis
As the preowned business aircraft market transitions from the high-volatility environment seen earlier in the decade to a more normalized state, the role of the broker becomes increasingly focused on technical expertise rather than simply securing scarce inventory. We view IADA’s continued expansion of its certified broker pool as a necessary maturation of the business aviation sales sector. By formalizing the qualifications required to broker high-value aviation assets, the industry is aligning itself more closely with the compliance expectations of corporate flight departments and institutional buyers.
Photo Credit: IADA
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